Towards an Evidence-Based Hypnosis: Research Findings

“Very few topics in the whole history of mankind can have given rise to so many absurdities, misunderstandings, and misconceptions. From the very beginning the study of hypnosis has been tied up with fantastic conceptions like animal magnetism, the influence of the stars, and similar tarradiddle.”
– Professor Hans Eysenck, Sense and Nonsense in Psychology (1957)

The approach of the UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy has been to ground our presentation and teaching of hypnosis and hypnotherapy in the existing scientific research from academic psychology, experimental hypnosis and clinical research studies.
To “take arms against” the sea of myths and misconceptions about hypnosis presented in pop psychology, “and by opposing end them”; and so to offer a model of hypnosis that is “level to our comprehension, and reconcilable with well-known physiological and psychological principles.” (James Braid, 1853)

“Go into any large bookshop nowadays and you will most likely find that their shelves are liberally stocked with books about hypnosis, and its numerous applications. Pick out any such book at random, open it anywhere and look anywhere on the page. The chances are that what you are reading is plainly wrong, is misleading, is questionable, has little support, or requires significant qualification for it to be accepted as a valid statement.”
– Dr Michael Heap, Clinical Psychologist ‘Hypnosis: the modern perspective’, 2006)

“Even amongst those professionals trained in the exacting disciplines of medicine and psychology, it seems that an interest in hypnosis all too easily becomes a readiness to accept any fad or fashion that presents itself as a means of curing the ills of the age. Equally there is a willingness to provide intellectual accommodation to the most outlandish notions about the working of the human mind, brain and body.” – Dr. Michael Heap et al, Hartlands Medical and Dental Hypnosis 4th Edition)

Lynn, Kirsch et al. emphasise that, “clinicians can now rely on the following empirically derived information to educate their clients and inform their practice.” Each point is substantiated by reference to a major piece of scientific research, most of which are well over a decade old now.

On several key points these findings clash with popular ideas about hypnosis, pop psychology, New Age therapy, stage hypnosis hype (3,4,5,12), and certain principles of hypnotic regression therapy (9,13) and NLP/Ericksonian hypnosis (10,14). All are consistent, however, with the theory and practice of cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy which is intended to be evidence-based.

The ability to experience hypnotic phenomena does not indicate gullibility or weakness (Barber, 1969).

Hypnosis is not a sleep-like state (Banyai, 1991).

Hypnosis depends more on the efforts and abilities of the subject than on the skill of the hypnotist (Hilgard,1965).

Subjects retain the ability to control their behaviour during hypnosis, to refuse to respond to suggestions, and to even oppose suggestions (see Lynn, Rhue, and Weekes, 1990).

Spontaneous amnesia is relatively rare (Simon & Salzberg, 1985), and its unwanted occurrence can be prevented by informing clients that they will be able to remember everything that they are comfortable remembering about the session.

Suggestions can be responded to with or without hypnosis, and the function of a formal induction is primarily to increase suggestibility to a minor degree (see Barber, 1969; Hilgard, 1965).

Hypnosis is not a dangerous procedure when practised by qualified clinicians and researchers (see Lynn, Martin, and Frauman, 1996).

A wide variety of hypnotic inductions can be effective (e.g., inductions that emphasise alertness can be just as effective as inductions that promote physical relaxation; Banyai, 1991).

Most hypnotised subjects do not describe their experience as “trance” but as focused attention on suggested events (McConkey, 1986).

Hypnosis is not a reliable means of recovering repressed memories but might increase the danger of creating false memories (Lynn & Nash, 1994).

Hypnotisability can be substantially modified (Gorassini & Spanos, 1999; Spanos, 1991). Many initially low-hypnotisable participants can respond like high-hypnotisable participants after positive attitudes about hypnosis are instantiated and training in imagining, interpreting, and responding to suggestions is undertaken. Research in at least five laboratories (see Spanos, 1991) has shown that more than half of participants who test as low hypnotisable can, after assessment and training in a variety of cognitive-behavioural skills, test in the high hypnotisable range on a variety of assessment instruments and suggestions, some of which were not specifically targeted in the training.

Comments

Towards an Evidence-Based Hypnosis: Research Findings — 2 Comments

I love to expand my whole and full knowledge in skills in performing hyponosis to cure the internal mind, body and brain of a human being in so much need to have the fullest of life at all ages whilst living till God call him or her in peace at all times. The core fundamental science that gives human beings fullest and happinesss in life.

A great subject for all human beings to undergo in all levels, ages and in all countries of the world both Developed and Developing like one I belong in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific region so much in need of this healing process.

I’m searching for a human being, a generous government of the world, to offer me a scholarship to attaend to this course (travel to UK for this course and a student visa sponsorship so I could attend this course) so I can help heal the world and my family members as well as the people of my country Solomon islands whom when needed to.

Great to read your passionate interest and desire to study and help others.
Email us at admin@ukhypnosis.com regarding scholarship opportunities.

Best regards
Mark

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